Main
Daniel R. Kick, PhD
Education
PhD. Biological Sciences
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
N/A
2021 - 2015
- Coursework included Machine Learning Methods for Biomedical Informatics, Quantitative Methods in the Life Sciences, and Grant Writing
Bachelor of Science
Truman State University, Kirksville, MO
N/A
2015 - 2011
- Coursework included Next Generation Sequence Data and Analysis, Bioinformatics, Analysis of Variance and Experimental Design, Non-Parametric Statistics, and Economic & Medicinal Botany
Professional and Research Experience
Research Geneticist
Jacob Washburn Lab, USDA-ARS
N/A
Present - 2021
- Improved yield prediction of maize in diverse environments by using deep learning to better capture gene by environment effects. Conducted research and wrote manuscript on results. Communciated results to stakeholders through local and national presentations. Supervised undergraduate high throughput phenotyping project and assisted with related coding needs.
Graduate Student
David Schulz Lab, Missouri State University
N/A
2021 - 2016
- Assessed the efficacy of machine learning models to recapitulate neural cell identity from mRNA expression 1. Demonstrated that activity desynchronization induces degree dependent changes in conductance between neurons 2. Investigated the compensatory effects of elevated depolarization on neuronal excitability, conductances, and ion channel mRNA abundances in small neural networks 3.
Graduate Student Rotation
Loren Milescu Lab, Missouri State University
N/A
2015
- Developed a protocol for live imaging neurons in Drosophila melanogaster with a two-photon microscope.
Graduate Student Rotation
Bing Zhang Lab, Missouri State University
N/A
2015
- Designed a machine to assay Drosophila climbing (used in Willenbrink et al. 2016) and quantified sleep patterns of Drosophila tyrosine hydroxylase mutants
Undergraduate Researcher
Diane Janick-Buckner, Brent Buckner Lab, Truman State University
N/A
2014
- Designed and prototyped a hydroponic growth chamber for maize root phenotyping.
NSF REU Student
Rahul Kanadia Lab, University of Conneticut
N/A
2014
- Measured minor spliceosome upregulation using in situ hybridization supporting a role in postponing retinal cell death.
NSF REU Student
Christian Lorson Lab, Missouri State University
N/A
2013
- Assessed motor function in mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy with and without oligonucleotide treatment.
Camp Counselor & Lifeguard
N/A
N/A
2012
- Responsible for safety, development, and wellbeing of campers.
Student Assistant
Laszlo Kovacs Laboratory, Missouri State University
N/A
2011
- Tested teaching experiments for use in a genetics course.
Honors and Awards
NIFA Fellowship (AFRI EWD)
$225,000 awarded over two years to create and environmentally aware deep learning genomic selection models and prepare the recipient to transition into industry Grant # 2023-67012-39485.
N/A
2025 - 2023
Poster Ranked first in MU Plant Research Symposium poster competition
N/A
N/A
2022
J. Perry Gustafson Award for Outstanding Graduate Research in the Life Sciences
This $2,000 award is granted for the quality of their research and academic achievements.
N/A
2019
NIH T32 Training Grant Recipient
This provides a $27,000 yearly stipend and $750 yearly to facilitate presenting research at scientific conferences.
N/A
2018 - 2016
Cum Laude & President’s Recognition, Truman State University
N/A
N/A
2015
Professional Activities
Panel Member, Non-academic research careers, MU Summer Undergraduate Research Program: Professional Dev. Mini-Conference
N/A
N/A
2023
Panel Member, Working with your Mentor, MU Summer Undergraduate Research Program: Summer Intern Orientation
N/A
N/A
2023
Workshop Instructor; R for Reproducible Scientific Analysis
University of Missouri, Columbia
N/A
2022
Workshop Creator; Tools and Techniques for a Jupyter Based Scientific Workflow
Created and delivered a workshop on data visualization in Python for University of Missouri Bioinformatics in Plant Science
N/A
2022
Software Carpentries Certified Instructor
Received theoretical and practical instruction on leading computational workshops. Taught R for Reproducible Scientific Analysis, assisted in teaching Data Management with SQL.
N/A
2022
Panel Member, Next-Generation Omics, Biological Sciences Divisional Retreat
Ruthie Angelovici, David J Schulz, Daniel R Kick, and Mannie Liscum, University of Missouri Division of Biological Sciences Retreat
N/A
2022
Society for Neuroscience Member
N/A
N/A
2019 - 2016
Workshop Assistant; Computational Neuroscience: Models and Neurobiology (NIH BRAIN Initiative Short Course)
N/A
N/A
2017 - 2016
Scientific Poster Judge
Spring Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forum
N/A
2016
Mentoring
Madi Michell
N/A
N/A
2022
- University of Missouri Student Researcher
Grace Sidberry
N/A
N/A
2021
- University of Missouri Student Researcher
Abby Beckerdite
N/A
N/A
2019 - 2016
- University of Missouri Student Researcher
Ayla Ross
N/A
N/A
2019
- NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Student
Katlyn Sullivan
N/A
N/A
2018
- NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Student
Kelly Hiersche
N/A
N/A
2017
- NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Student
Rody Kingston
N/A
N/A
2016
- Postbaccalaureate Research Student
Professional Development
APSIM Training Course, Iowa State University
N/A
N/A
2023
MU-Bayer Mentoring Program (mentee)
N/A
N/A
2022
Software Carpentry: Python, University of Missouri
N/A
N/A
2020
Diversity & Inclusion Workshop, University of Missouri
N/A
N/A
2017
Big Data in Biology, University of Austin
N/A
N/A
2016
Publications
RootBot: High-throughput root stress phenotyping robot
Mia Ruppel,
Applications in Plant Sciences
2023
Yield Prediction Through Integration of Genetic, Environment, and Management Data Through Deep Learning
Daniel R. Kick, Jason G. Wallace, James C. Schnable, Judith M. Kolkman, Baris Alaca, Timothy M. Beissinger, David Ertl, Sherry Flint-Garcia, Joseph L. Gage, Candice N. Hirsch, Joseph E. Knoll, Natalia de Leon, Dayane C. Lima, Danilo Moreta, Maninder P. Singh, Teclemariam Weldekidan, Jacob D. Washburn
2023
Timing dependent potentiation and depression of electrical synapses contributes to network stability in the crustacean cardiac ganglion
Daniel R. Kick and David J. Schulz
2022
Molecular profiling of single neurons of known identity in two ganglia from the crab Cancer borealis
Adam J. Northcutt1, Daniel R. Kick1, Adriane G. Otopalik, Benjamin M. Goetz, Rayna M. Harris, Joseph M. Santin, Hans A. Hofmann, Eve Marder, and David J. Schulz
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
2019
Dopamine maintains network synchrony via direct modulation of gap junctions in the crustacean cardiac ganglion
Brian J Lane, Daniel R Kick, David K Wilson, Satish S Nair, David J Schulz
2018
The Hillary Climber trumps manual testing: an automatic system for studying Drosophila climbing
Alex M. Willenbrink, Margo K. Gronauer, Leon F. Toebben, Daniel R. Kick, Madalyn Wells & Bing Zhang
2016
Publications in Preparation
The Mustard Mayhem: Phylogenetically localizing and dating the mesohexaploidy of the tribe Brassiceae
Shawn K. Thomas, R. Shawn Abrahams, Nora Walden, Tatiana Arias, Daniel Robert Kick, Alex McAlvay, Alex Harkess, Michael R. McKain, Ihsan A. Al-Shehbaz, Frederic Lens, Kasper Hendriks, Marcus A. Koch, J. Chris Pires, Jacob Washburn
(In Prep)
2023
Crustacean cardiac ganglion model reveals constraints on morphology and conductances
Dan Dopp, Pranit Samarth, Jing Wang, Daniel Kick, David J. Schulz, Satish S. Nair
2023
Effects of Spinal Cord Injury on Major Pelvic Ganglion Activity (Placeholder Title)
Michael L. Gray1, Daniel R. Kick1, Benton Berigan, Sherryl Henderson, David J. Schulz
(In Prep)
2023
National Presentations
Maize yield prediction accuracy increased by inclusion of genetics, environment, and management interactions with deep learning
Maize Genetics Meeting
N/A
2023
- Daniel R Kick, Jacob D. Washburn (2023)
- Presentation
Maize Yield Prediction Accuracy Increased By Inclusion of Genetics, Environment, and Management Interactions With Deep Learning
Plant and Animal Genetics (PAG), San Diego CA
N/A
2023
- Daniel R Kick, Jacob D. Washburn (2023)
- Poster
Improving Maize Yield Prediction through Genetic, Environmental, and Management Factor Interactions with Deep Learning
ASA, CSSA and SSSA International Annual Meetings, Baltimore MD
N/A
2022
- Daniel R Kick, Jacob D. Washburn (2022)
- Poster
Improving Maize Yield Prediction through Genetic, Environmental, and Management Factor Interactions with Deep Learning
ASA, CSSA and SSSA International Annual Meetings, Baltimore MD
N/A
2022
- Daniel R Kick, Jacob D. Washburn (2022)
- Presentation
Yield Prediction Accuracy is Improved Through Incorporating Genetic, Environmental, and Management Interactions with Deep Learning,
University of Missouri Interdisciplinary Plant Group Symposium, Columbia MO
N/A
2022
- Daniel R Kick, Jacob D. Washburn (2022)
- Presentation
Effects of blockade of K+ currents on membrane conductance and channel expression at 1 hour and 24 hours in motor neurons of the cardiac ganglion.
Dynamic Neural Networks: The Stomatogastric Nervous System, Virtual
N/A
2020
- Daniel R Kick, Brian J. Lane, David J Schulz.
- Presentation
Loss of synchronous activity across gap junctions results in a phase-dependent change in coupling conductance magnitude.
Neuroscience, Chicago IL
N/A
2019
- Daniel R Kick, David J Schulz.
- Poster
Asynchronous voltage activity regulates electrical synapse plasticity.
Dynamic Neural Networks: The Stomatogastric Nervous System, Chicago IL
N/A
2019
- Daniel R Kick, David J Schulz.
- Presentation
Variability from mRNAs to network output in the C. borealis cardiac ganglion.
Dynamic Neural Networks: The Stomatogastric Nervous System, Washington D.C
N/A
2017
- Daniel R Kick, David J Schulz.
- Presentation
Variation across network output, excitatory post synaptic potentials, ionic conductances, and ion channel and receptor mRNAs within motor neurons of the crustacean cardiac ganglion.
Neuroscience, Washington D.C.
N/A
2017
- Daniel R Kick, Brian J Lane, Joseph L Ransdell, Satish S Nair, David J Schulz.
- Poster
What crustaceans can teach us about the workings of the nervous system.
Animal Behavior Society, Columbia MO
N/A
2016
- Virginia Garcia, Daniel R Kick, Cindy Kyi, Brian J Lane, Kwasi M Lett, Adam J Northcutt, Joseph L Ransdell, Simone Temporal, and David J Schulz.
- Poster
Local Presentations
Maize Yield Prediction Accuracy Increased By Inclusion of Genetics, Environment, and Management Interactions With Deep Learning
University of Missouri MU Plant Research Symposium, Columbia MO
N/A
2023
- Daniel R Kick, Jacob D Washburn
- Poster
Maize Yield Prediction is Improved by Modeling Interactions between Genetic, Environmental, and Management Factors with Deep Learning
Interdisciplinary Plant Group Seminar “Plant Talks”, Columbia MO
N/A
2022
- Daniel R Kick, Jacob D Washburn
- Presentation
Yield Prediction Through Integration of Genetic, Environment, and Management Data by Deep Learning
University of Missouri MU Plant Research Symposium, Columbia MO
N/A
2022
- Daniel R Kick, Jacob D Washburn
- Poster
- Ranked first in poster competition
Classifying neurons from molecular data
University of Missouri DataPhiles, Columbia MO
N/A
2019
- Daniel R Kick, David J Schulz
- Presentation
Voltage Dependent Modification of Electrical Synapses and Ionic Conductances
University of Missouri-Columbia Life Sciences Week, Columbia MO
N/A
2018
- Daniel R Kick, David J Schulz
- Poster
The Cancer borealis Cardiac Ganglion: a Window into Variability and Activity Dependent Regulation
NIH-T32 progress seminar, Columbia MO
N/A
2017
- Daniel R Kick, David J Schulz
- Presentation
Upregulation of the Minor Spliceosome in Mouse Retinae due to Zaprinast Exposure
Truman State University Student Research Conference, Kirksville MO
N/A
2015
- Daniel R Kick, Marybeth Baumgartner, Christopher Lemoine, Devi Krishna Priya Karunakaran, Nikita Sturrock, Amye Black, Rahul Kanadia
- Poster
Upregulation of the Minor Spliceosome in Mouse Retinae due to Zaprinast Exposure
University of Connecticut Summer Undergraduate Research Conference, Storrs CT
N/A
2014
- Daniel R Kick, Marybeth Baumgartner, Christopher Lemoine, Devi Krishna Priya Karunakaran, Nikita Sturrock, Amye Black, Rahul Kanadia
- Poster
Effective Gene Therapy in Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Utilizing Antisense Oligonucleotides Targeting Intronic Repressor Element1
University of Missouri Summer Undergraduate Research Conference, Columbia MO
N/A
2013
- Daniel R Kick, Eric Osman, Christian Lorson
- Poster
Outreach and Other Presentations
Maize Yield Prediction Accuracy Increased By Inclusion of Genetics, Environment, and Management Interactions With Deep Learning
University of Missouri Graduate Student Recruitment, Columbia MO
N/A
2023
- Daniel R Kick, Jacob D. Washburn
- Poster
Maize Yield Prediction is Improved by using Deep Learning to Incorporate Interactions between Genetic, Environmental, and Management Factors.
USDA-ARS AgriCulture Series, Virtual
N/A
2022
- Daniel R Kick, Jacob D Washburn
From Neurobiologist to Research Geneticist
Beyond the PhD (beyond-the-phd.com), Virtual
N/A
2022
- Daniel R Kick
- Presentation
Spare the synapse, spoil the circuit, Public presentation
Science on Tap, Columbia MO
N/A
2019
- Daniel R Kick
- Presentation
Can mRNA expression recapitulate neuron cell types
Truman State University Alumni Research Presentation, Kirksville MO
N/A
2019
- Daniel R Kick
- Presentation
Voltage Dependent modification of Electrical Synapses
University of Missouri Biological Sciences Recruitment, Columbia MO
N/A
2019
- Daniel R Kick
- Poster
Gap Junction Conductance Modulation Via Voltage
Truman State University Alumni Research Presentation, Kirksville MO
N/A
2018
- Daniel R Kick
- Presentation
Please mind the gap: Network homeostatic plasticity in the Cancer borealis cardiac ganglion
Truman State University Alumni Research Presentation, Kirksville MO
N/A
2017
- Daniel R Kick
- Presentation
The Tell-Tale Heart: Applying crustacean neurogenic hearts to basic neurosciences questions
Truman State University Alumni Research Presentation, Kirksville MO
N/A
2016
- Daniel R Kick
- Presentation